I am going Black Bear hunting in Alaska in May and was wondering what scope recommendation anyone would have. I live in Colorado and also do a lot of Elk hunting. I was wondering what Power and what Brand you would select.

The Z3 would be an excellent choice, as would a bushnell 4200. While the 4200 can't match the Z3 optically, it does have rain guard and that maybe beneficial in Alaska. Either way a typical 3-9x40 or similar configuration is where I'd look.

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson

The Z3 would be an excellent choice, as would a bushnell 4200. While the 4200 can't match the Z3 optically, it does have rain guard and that maybe beneficial in Alaska. Either way a typical 3-9x40 or similar configuration is where I'd look.

i agree totally jeff, alaska aint like hunting in arizona. its usually wet and generally miserable up there, i want something thats proven to be tough. as much as i would love to own a z3, i would really be hesitant to take it on a trip where im chasing animals that could potentially chase me back. maybe im paranoid, but i would probably save some money, buy a 3x9 4200 elite. take the money you saved, and spend it on ammo to practice up with, or buy a damn good pair of boots.

Would also be a good choice. This scope has a hydrophobic lens coating like the 4200 elite but has much better eye relief, a very forgiving eye-box, and easily re-settable adjustment turrets. I have two of these (and a 3-12 on the way) and IMO if you want to get much better than these the Z3 is the next step. Sightron also has a $75.00 rebate until March 31st.

We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.

I won't try to tell you what you should do, but I'll tell you what I would do. Going bear hunting... in some of the last true wilderness left on the planet... I would want something proven TOUGH. I would probably first consider a fixed 4x (not necessarily choose it, but consider it), but if I chose a variable, I would choose the Super Sniper 3-9 (or perhaps the 1-4). Why? I am not a great fan of the 3-9 magnification range, but I know tough and dependable and the 3-9 SS is both of those. It has great glass and is durable. Hunting the most dangerous creatures on North American soil (if you take "man" out of the equation), I want those things in my optics. I am confident that with the 3-9 SS, I would be able to "make the necessary shot". I think that is a mandatory requirement when hunting things that can and do hunt you back...

I like Swaro stuff, but if my life is at stake, it will take a back seat to the SS...

Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living

For this application, a decent 3-9x42 or 1.5-6x42 or something along these lines is probably the best way to go.

The rest really comes down to the specific preferences you have.

In order to come up with a recommendation, I have to make a few assumptions:

-You are shooting at fairly large targets, so you do not a whole lot of magnification

-You are not going to shoot at very long distances (let's say 250 yards or, preferably, less)

-Your rifle has a fair amount of felt recoil

-There is a good chance you will end up shooting from rather sub-optimal field positions

-You are going to be in rather rough terrain far from the nearest gun store

-You are likely to encounter some difficult lighting conditions

With all that in mind, I would suggest utilizing a slightly different approach.

First of all, I think it is worth your while to have two scopes set up in quality detachable mounts for this rifle. One primary scopes and one back up. A back-up scope should be something that is both very light and very durable.

Both scopes should have plenty of eyerelief.

Both scopes should have thick and visible reticles (whether illuminated or not).

Both scopes should be set up in identical rings for part interchangeability and consistency of cheek weld.

Scope 1: Any one of the excellent 3-9x40 scopes that retail in the $400 range: Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40, Minox ZA-3 3-9x40, Sightron S2 Big Sky 3-9x42 are good examples. All three have ~4" of eyerelief (or more)

For me it would definately be a Trijicon either an accupoint or a compact ACOG because the tritium illumination is always turned on and ready even in the middle of the night when preditors come after you.

I am thinking that you are much like me. You would like one scope which will give you low power, big FOV, and fast target aquisition, for the bear, as well as high power for some of those long elk shots. I have scratched a bald spot in my head over this, and I will be very interested in hearing about your choice.

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